2015 has been a momentous year for the HIV response and global development. Bold commitments have been made to accelerate efforts towards the common goal of ending AIDS as a global public health threat by 2030.

Testing HIV positive was the beginning of Margaret Mbabazi’s anguish. It never crossed her mind that her husband and the father of her four children could chase her away from their marital home. But when he tested HIV negative that is exactly what happened.

As we mark the 28th World AIDS Day, I reflect back on the unprecedented progress made in response to a global health and development challenge affecting hundreds of millions of people. I also look back on what has been harder to make progress on, and why HIV-related stigma remains one the biggest challenges we have yet to fully overcome.

To mark World AIDS Day (1 December 2015) HIV charity AVERT has launched an animation to help people overcome fears and worries about HIV – something which is stopping millions of people from getting tested for the virus.